The Climate of Innovation Around Information Technology in Sub-Saharan Africa

Ghanaian internet entrepreneur and researcher Eric Osiakwan and the
Berkman Center's Ethan Zuckerman discussed the climate for
innovation around information technology in Sub-Saharan Africa. Eric
and Ethan talked about projects to improve connectivity to the
continent and the business models these projects are pioneering, novel
uses for mobile phone networks and the use of citizen media as a
political force on the continent.

About Eric

Eric Osiakwan is an internet entrepreneur and researcher. He founded the Ghana Internet Service Providers Association (GISPA) and Africa Internet Service Providers Association (AfrISPA)
both of which he is the Executive Secretary. He has a diploma from
Seefax Computer Training Institute and has completed a few certificate
courses in Networking and Securities. Eric has written extensively and
some of his publications can be found at: www.public.asu.edu, www.cidcm.umd.edu, and royalafricansociety.org.

About Ethan

Ethan Zuckerman is a Berkman Center fellow, focusing on the impact of
technology on the developing world. His current projects include a
study of global media attention, research on the use of weblogs and
other social software in the developing world, and work on a
clearinghouse for software for international development. Ethan is also
a co-founder of the Berkman-sponsored popular international citizen
journalism project Global Voices. For Ethan's full biography, click here.